Bappi Lahiri's son says he was 'ragged' in school over father's style
Singer and composer Bappi Lahiri during a live performance at Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai in 2009. Photo: Hindustan Times
Singer Bappi Lahiri, who died at the age of 69 on February 15 this year, was known for his unique sense of style just as much as he was known for his music. However, his son Bappa Lahiri has revealed he got bullied for his father's fashion sense.
Bappa recalled how Bappi's gold chains were partially inspired by Elvis Presley’s gold accessories. As a child, Bappi once saw a picture of Elvis wearing a gold chain, and wanted to craft a similar but unique image of his own with his choice of attires. Bappa said his father was unhinged when it came to being pressurised into looking or dressing a certain way.
Speaking to ET Times, he said, "I was ragged in school. Other kids would say, 'Oh, your father wears sunglasses at night?' But today, it is a trend. He never went by the book when it came to style. He wore whatever he wanted. Even if I’d say, ‘Daddy it's not suiting you,' it was his style. He did what he liked. He would wear sunglasses even in recording studios."
Bappa revealed that his father's sunglasses were actually numbered and the singer needed them to see clearly. They were modified according to his eye power. “Around 10-15 years back, I was travelling with him for a concert. We were to take a flight at 5:30 am, and he came out of the room with all his chains, sunglasses in full style. And I was like 'Dad, subah subah kyun? (Why dress up so early?).' There weren’t airport looks or paparazzi at the time. But it was his image. He considered his gold chains lucky, he believed there was God in them, every one of them had a memory."
Bappi, who composed songs for Disco Dancer, Himmatwala, Sharaabi, Dance Dance, Satyamev Jayate, Commando, Aaj Ke Shahenshah among others, last composed the song Bhankas for the 2020 film Baaghi 3. He died on the night of February 15, and was cremated in the presence of his family, friends, and prominent members from Bollywood on February 17, as per Hindustan Times.
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